It’s hard to believe we’ve already made it to Week 4, but it’s the end of September and we’re gaining a larger sample size to know where each team is at. Offensive production is down, and injuries are up. 

There are ways we can utilize the trends from the first three weeks even if the product we’ve been given hasn’t been great. Let’s get locked in for another loaded slate in our NFL DFS Week 4 D/ST Coach to find the final piece for our lineups!

 

 

 

NFL DFS Week 4 D/ST Coach For FanDuel & DraftKings Fantasy

Week 3 was a decent week for the NFL DFS D/ST Coach. While the top priced teams (the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers) didn’t return much value, it’s always encouraged to pay down at D/ST. There are no sure things in this game, even among the more expensive options.

But the mid-and-value tiers were kind to us. The Pittsburgh Steelers returned nine fantasy points, just one point shy of 3X value. But we bought into the performances in Weeks 1 and 2 from the Minnesota Vikings and utilized them as our punt option last week. At just $2,400 they returned 13 fantasy points for 5.4X value.

Can we nail this week’s NFL DFS Week 4 D/ST Coach diamond in the rough? Let’s give it a shot!

 

 

 

NFL Week 4 Defense/Special Teams

As we dig into the NFL DFS Week 4 D/ST Coach, we have a rather balanced slate across the early window and afternoon slate. And as has been the case for the 2024 NFL season, we need to monitor the status of some starting quarterbacks this week. There is a chance that Jordan Love returns to action, which could impact how much exposure we get to the Minnesota Vikings. 

Additionally, we’re monitoring the status of Justin Herbert who was injured last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Chargers would really love to have their franchise quarterback against the Kansas City Chiefs. Half the games on this slate have implied totals at or under 41 points. 

And in three of those games we have teams favored by at least a touchdown. On the surface, those teams jump out to us as early locks, but let’s dig into the matchups and potential game scripts to see which teams are the preferred cash game targets in addition to the break-the-slate tournament options.

 

 

 

NFL DFS D/ST Top Tier Picks For Week 4

San Francisco 49ers - DraftKings: $3,800 | FanDuel: $5,000

The 49ers were last week’s D/ST Play of the Week, and they were rather underwhelming. If you paid up at D/ST, you were disappointed. I like them this week, but don’t love them. And truth be told, I do not pay up at D/ST. But we’ll still break them down.

The 49ers are the most expensive D/ST on both DraftKings and FanDuel. The over/under is low for this matchup against the New England Patriots. The Pats have to travel cross country and the implied total is 40.5 points and the 49ers are the biggest favorites this week by 10.5 points. That gives New England an implied team total of roughly 15 points.

New England’s offensive line is bad, and they don’t have much upside most weeks. However, New England is going back to Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterback. He has done well to protect the ball as he hasn’t turned it over yet. But he’s been sacked nine times. If the 49ers are just forcing several three and outs, then that may not be much of a “ceiling” performance. Definitely pay down if you think there’s more upside on the slate.

Kansas City Chiefs - DraftKings: $3,600 | FanDuel: $4,600

Steve Spagnuolo has done a great job with this Chiefs defense. And again, this is probably a spot where we can pay down. The concern here is regarding the health of Justin Herbert. Through two healthy games, Herbert was only averaging 23 pass attempts per game.

If he’s out due to the ankle injury, what’s keeping the Chargers from taking an even bigger run-heavy approach to keep the Chiefs off the field? The Bolts have done well to establish the ground game.

We do need turnovers and sacks. A team running the ball 30+ times each game isn’t going to get us those additional points we need to get double-digit fantasy points out of our D/ST. The Chiefs are favored by 7.5 points and the over/under is at 40 points as of Wednesday night. But again, they feel safer for cash games as opposed to a D/ST that can break a slate for us.

 

 

 

NFL DFS D/ST Mid-Tier Picks For Week 4

Pittsburgh Steelers - DraftKings: $3,300 | FanDuel: $4,500

The Steelers actually had a very strong showing last week against the Los Angeles Chargers and they’re currently sitting at 3-0. With that said, it certainly helps that the Chargers lost Justin Herbert to injury.

The Steelers have allowed just 214 rushing yards through three games. Pittsburgh has also only allowed 26 total points to opposing offenses, and this defense can get pressure on the quarterback. We’ve seen Anthony Richardson already throw six interceptions and he’s had two fumbles so far (none lost). But Indianapolis is losing the time of possession battle horrifically every week averaging just 21:36 on offense through three games.

But whether it’s because of the turnovers, or just poor offensive drivers, the Colts are only averaging 50 offensive plays per game which is easily the worst mark in the league. That might limit the upside for the Steelers, but still gives them a decent floor. For that, I’ll say this is more of a cash game recommendation.

Chicago Bears - DraftKings: $3,100 | FanDuel: $4,200

If you’ve read this weekly article before, you’ll know I’m a fan of this Bears defense and some of the personnel decisions they’ve made in the past calendar year ranging from the trade for Montez Sweat, signing Kevin Byard, and extending Jaylon Johnson.

The fantasy returns thus far have been modest. But they played three straight AFC South opponents (Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, and Indianapolis Colts) and have allowed an average of 19 points per game and 286.7 total yards per game.

The Los Angeles Rams come to town and are coming off a promising offensive performance despite not having Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Perhaps the big change was getting Alaric Jackson back from suspension but overall, it’s a bad offensive line and still a spot I want to attack for our NFL DFS Week 4 lineups.

 

 

 

NFL Week 4 DFS D/ST Value Picks

Minnesota Vikings - DraftKings: $2,900 | FanDuel: $4,300

We are going right back to the well with the Vikings who paid off for us very well last week. They are definitely a better value on DraftKings, as they’re more of a mid-range play on FanDuel. I would still be fine rostering them on both sites.

Yes, they go on the road this week to Green Bay and divisional matchups are always concerning. But this defense is playing incredibly well for Brian Flores. Through three games the Vikings have given up some yardage. But it’s a “bend, but don’t break” kind of defense. Opposing offenses have only scored 30 total points and they have 16 sacks and six forced turnovers.

If they were doing this against garbage competition, we wouldn’t bat much of an eye. However, they effectively shut down both the San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans. That’s no cake walk regardless of the injury bug that’s spreading across the league. They are slight underdogs on the road, but the price on DraftKings puts them in play once again for tournaments.

If Jordan Love does get the start for this matchup, then we downgrade Minnesota slightly. But not enough to completely pivot off them.

Denver Broncos - DraftKings: $2,500 | FanDuel: $3,400

Obviously, the Broncos are this cheap for a reason. But they are my preferred punt if you absolutely need the salary relief here. In addressing the bad aspects of this defense, they’re very easy to run on. They’ve allowed 378 rushing yards already through three games. Good luck containing Breece Hall!

On top of that poor run defense, this is a road game for Denver in the early window. The implied total is at 39.5 points and the Broncos are 7.5-point underdogs. So, I’m not exactly painting the most promising picture for this D/ST.

But the New York Jets run an incredibly slow offense. They only average 58.3 plays per game (tied for 20th in the NFL), and they don’t run an up-tempo offense with their aging quarterback. The Jets offense is largely consolidated to Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson. Pat Surtain likely shadows Wilson for most of the game. 

Denver runs a lot of man coverage (63%) and even if Wilson lines up in the slot (40% of his routes come from the slot) it’s likely Surtain follows him. Surtain has already given fits to DK Metcalf, George Pickens, and Mike Evans.

If Surtain takes away one of New York’s best weapons, then maybe the Broncos have some hope to contain the run game. If Denver can execute a similar run-heavy offense as last week, and dominate time of possession, then Denver does have a path to pay off this price tag by keeping Aaron Rodgers and Co. off the field.

 

 

 

NFL DFS D/ST Fades For Week 4

Cincinnati Bengals - DraftKings: $3,400 | FanDuel: $4,700

I’m sorry but this is an easy fade for me and there are a handful of factors at play. The Bengals are indeed four-points favorites but the over/under is currently sitting at 47 points as of Wednesday night. That gives the Carolina Panthers an implied total of 21.5 points, which is still respectable for an underdog.

This is also a home game for Carolina and they’re fresh off a Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, the Panthers are going right back to Andy Dalton as their starting quarterback in Week 4. Dalton completed 26-of-37 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns last week. Now he gets a chance to start against the team he spent most of his career with? That gives me some pause.

Moreover, the Bengals are among the five most expensive D/ST’s on both DraftKings and FanDuel. In their own pricing tier there are better and safer options. The Bengals just fell to 0-3 so this is a short week for them, and they’ve surrendered at least 285 yards of offense in all three games and they were torched by a rookie quarterback last week. This is one of the easiest fades we’ll find all season.

 

 

 

NFL DFS Week 4 D/ST Play Of The Week

New York Jets - DraftKings: $3,700 | FanDuel: $4,800

As I’ve mentioned throughout the article, I don’t typically pay up for D/ST’s. This should be the last piece of the puzzle for your NFL DFS Week 4 lineups. With that said, this is potentially a ceiling spot for the New York Jets if you can afford them.

I love the Denver Broncos as a punt option, but on the other side this is great for the Jets. If Haason Reddick ever decides to show up and play for this team, best of luck to the rest of the AFC. 

The Denver Broncos come to town and are playing in the early window for the second straight week. The Bucs fell short last week in shutting down the Broncos, but they were also without Vita Vea. The Jets boast the league’s best secondary and have 14 sacks through three games. They’ve also given up just 20 points to opposing offenses in their last two games and hit double-digit fantasy points in Week 2 and 3.

 

 

 

NFL DFS Week 4 Defense/Special Teams Projections